The search for Leicestershire’s most fun-loving business people is counting down.

Nominations for the second Leicester & Leicestershire Alternative Business Awards close later today.

And the big night itself – part of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival – takes place at Curve theatre next Wednesday night.

The light-hearted spin on the traditional business awards will see gongs handed out for categories ranging from “biggest twit” – for the biggest social media junkie – to “culture vulture”, or the person who loves turning up to after-work events.

A total of 16 awards will be presented in the following categories:

Shiny Bottom: The person who sits on the most boards.

New Kid on the Block: The best new business executive.

Ryder Cup: The person always on the golf course.

The Team With The L Factor: The team seen around town.

Culture Vulture: The person who loves turning up to after-work events.

Glass Half Full: The biggest optimist out there.

Biggest Twit: The biggest social media junkie.

Alternative Business Person: The one who has a quirky approach to business.

Too Hot to Handle

Saving the World One Skip at a Time

Top Table Favourite: The person at every event.

Soggy Bottom: The Mary Berry of the office.

In at 9 gone by 5.

Fun where you least expect it.

The person who won nothing.

Guyler & Richards Choice.

All the tongue-in-cheek nominations will be announced in advance in the Leicester Mercury and on our website.

Finalists will follow in the footsteps of the 2016 winners – who accepted their awards with gracious good humour in front of a packed house.

Comedian Patrick Monahan, who hosted the 2016 event, will be returning to compère again this year.

The night will raise money for local charities Big Difference Company – which runs the comedy festival – Hope Against Cancer and Lord’s Taverners.

Patrick Monahan, Ian Guyler and Malcolm Foulkes-Arnold on stage at Curve back in 2016

The four-strong committee behind the initiative is made up of Big Difference Company chief executive Geoff Rowe, recruitment specialist Eileen Richards, business adviser Ian Guyler and marketing expert David Simms, of Champions (UK) Plc.

Ian said: “We’re still inviting nominations for this year’s awards and they will all be listed online on Friday.

“There are lots of characters out there and we want to hear about anyone who deserves to be nominated.

“We are looking for people with fun characteristics who can see the fun side of business life.

“Business can be very serious, but if you have fun doing it you can often be much more

effective.

“Leicestershire has a very positive, energetic and inclusive business community and this will be a true celebration of that.”

Geoff said: “There is still time to nominate your colleague or friend in any of the award categories so do get in touch.”